Category: Gadgets

It’s A Zoo In There (The Fridge, That Is)

fridgezoo

Fridgeezoo gives a voice to all the critters of the icebox by howling and screaming if the refrigerator door gets held open too long. The gadgets are shaped like little milk cartons dressed up as various cold-climate creatures such as a polar bear, a penguin, a seal or a walrus. Of course, since these Japanese gadgets are probably light-activated, you can save even more energy just by unscrewing the refrigerator light.

(Via Oh Gizmo! and Craziest Gadgets)

***Update 10/17/24: The penguin lives on!

Penguin Fridgezoo 24 Fridge Pet PenguineEnglish Version

Retrosink: Old-Timey Alarm-Clock Tea Maker

Old-Timey Alarm-Clock Tea Maker

Even since the beginning of the modern era it was recognized that people needed all the help they could get when it came to procuring a caffeinated beverage. After all, the motor skills needed to make a pot of tea or coffee require some degree of coordination—best left to automation. Back in the day, they might have used an old-timey appliance such as this alarm clock tea maker contraption.

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Boil Buoy Watches Pot For You

Boil Buoy

A watched pot never boils, but one that is listened to is another story. Normally, water doesn’t make too much noise while bubbling away, so how does a pot listened to give away its secrets? With Boil Buoy, of course.

The small stainless steel chime floats in a pot of water thanks to an enclosed foam core. When the water reaches a boil, the movement of the boiling water causes it to chime. A weighted bottom ensures the clever gadget floats upright. Currently on pre-sale, the Quirky project only needs about 1,500 purchase commitments to find its way into production. Looks like that old saying might be due for an update.

(Via Craziest Gadgets)

Portion Control For Squeeze Bottle Condiments

Jokari 229482 Dressing Lid

Not all squeeze bottles are made the same. Some, like ketchup, have lids with a hole in the center to constrict the flow while squeezing. And then some don’t. Salad dressings are often packaged in bottles that don’t have appropriate lids. So, you squeeze and always get more dressing than salad in the bowl.

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To Serve Corn

1-Step Corn Kerneler

Like a UFO ravenous for corn, the 1-Step Corn Kerneler removes kernels from the cob without leaving a trace. Just place the flying saucer-shaped gadget over an end of the cob, and press down in one single motion. Kernels are removed and captured in the device itself, hopefully to be whisked away for a benevolent use. Like corn casserole. Or corn chowder. Or corn fritters. Or corn on the cob. Oh, wait not that. But everything else goes.

***UPDATE 9/28/24*** The link above no longer works, but the corn(y) spaceship has flown over to Amazon.

A Watched Pot Boils Eggs

Egg-Perfect Egg Timer

Offering a new way to ‘see’ the doneness of eggs while they are cooking, the Egg-Perfect Egg Timer represents cooking progress visually. When placed in a pot of cooking eggs, it absorbs heat and changes color as it ‘cooks’. Easy-to-follow markings alert you to when the eggs are done to your liking. From soft-boiled eggs to hard-boiled eggs, the little timer keeps track of the cooking for you—as long as you remember to watch the pot.